While Turkey and Russia were both very conciliatory over yesterday’s botched airstrike in the Syrian city of al-Bab, in which a Russian warplane accidentally killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded 11, the two nations are offering very contradictory stories on what actually happened.

This could ultimately be a misunderstanding from one side or the other on what the coordinates represented, though it’s a particularly embarrassing incident as the two nations have been increasingly cooperating against ISIS forces in al-Bab.

Turkey has been trying to capture al-Bab for well over a month, but unsuccessfully. Turkey had initially sought US air support for the campaign, though delays over a decision gave Russian forces an opportunity to step in, bolstering their cooperation at a time when Turkey and Russia are coordinating on peace talks.

Author: Jason Ditz

Hope Turkey thinks russians would not deliberately bomb turkish soldiers.
I wonder in which language turkey provided the coordinates of the building to the russians?

Ten Count Toronto

Most likely the building was agreed upon target but soldiers on the ground saw an opportunity to take it before the airstrike.

I wouldn’t rule out that Islamist moles within the Turkish-backed rebel group got wind of the air support request and tipped off ISIS to abandon the building and draw the Turks in.

Most of these groups are infiltrated by ISIS or AlQuaida sympathizers. The Turks will occasionally pay the price for the legacy of their previous tolerance of Jihadist militants.

Bianca

It does look most likely that the Turkish forces took the position, what is now a really fast moving operation. ISIS is withdrawing — and hopefully that continues, so that the inhabitants of the city do not suffer the fate of Aleppo or Mosul.

Bianca

TURKEY TOOK AL-BAB. The BIGGER point is, Turkey and Russia had agreed on Turkey taking Al-Bab, meaning that Damascus signed on. While there may be different explanations for the incident, they all boil down to one and the same. It was an error, or just the change on the ground where Turkish forces took positions from ISIS that is rapidly abandoning Al-Bab in a fast moving operation.
It did look like Turkey, Syria and Russia gave ISIS an offer they could not refuse. Turkey was going to take Al-Bab for sure, ever since Syrian Army cut off ISIS ability to roam the countryside and flank Turkish forces. And then, Syrian Army moved further east, and cut off the road between Raqqa and Al-Bab. With both Russian and Turkish planes operating against them, ISIS had a fast decision to make. They could opt to fight street by street — but by losing supply route, that was suicidal. Or it can opt to deal, and withdraw, where Syrian Army would let them go via Raqqa road. Clearly, ISIS took the withdrawal. There could still be those that will stay, act as civilians, and do terrorist attacks, but this will not stop now Turkish army to move towards Raqqa. Now it is up to US to harmonize relationship with Kurds, and up to Kurds to accept the constitutional framework proposed by Russia and supported by Syrian Government. If they accept territorial integrity of Syria, that would meet Turkish main demand. So far, so good. Hope the coordination — warts and all — continues.

Bianca

TURKEY TOOK AL-BAB. The BIGGER point is, Turkey and Russia had agreed on Turkey taking Al-Bab, meaning that Damascus signed on. While there may be different explanations for the incident, they all boil down to one and the same. It was an error, or just the change on the ground where Turkish forces took positions from ISIS that is rapidly abandoning Al-Bab in a fast moving operation.
It did look like Turkey, Syria and Russia gave ISIS an offer they could not refuse. Turkey was going to take Al-Bab for sure, ever since Syrian Army cut off ISIS ability to roam the countryside and flank Turkish forces. And then, Syrian Army moved further east, and cut off the road between Raqqa and Al-Bab. With both Russian and Turkish planes operating against them, ISIS had a fast decision to make. They could opt to fight street by street — but by losing supply route, that was suicidal. Or it can opt to deal, and withdraw, where Syrian Army would let them go via Raqqa road. Clearly, ISIS took the withdrawal. There could still be those that will stay, act as civilians, and do terrorist attacks, but this will not stop now Turkish army to move towards Raqqa. Now it is up to US to harmonize relationship with Kurds, and up to Kurds to accept the constitutional framework proposed by Russia and supported by Syrian Government. If they accept territorial integrity of Syria, that would meet Turkish main demand. So far, so good. Hope the coordination — warts and all — continues.

Bianca

Turkey may have been too quick to claim victory. ISIS — or at least some of them — are holed east of Al-Bab and slowing things down.
Lesson. Do not take Turkish sources of information as very reliable. Better wait for Russian information on the status of Al-Bab liberation.

Bianca

Turkey may have been too quick to claim victory. ISIS — or at least some of them — are holed east of Al-Bab and slowing things down.
Lesson. Do not take Turkish sources of information as very reliable. Better wait for Russian information on the status of Al-Bab liberation.